•The contentious clause in the code says the preparation of the design and supervision of the works in a building will only be undertaken by a professional in the respective fields of specialisation.
•National Construction Authority executive director Maurice Akech said that the new code has on boarded emerging construction technologies and green concepts.
Image: JACKTONE LAWI
New buildings in Kenya must from March 2025 include smart energy and water management solutions before approval, according to the National Construction Authority.
This, NC says, is in conformity with the National Building Code 2024.
These alongside other provisions such as electric vehicle charging ports in social places such as malls are part of the new guidelines.
Under the guidelines, new buildings will be compelled to become much more energy efficient as a measure to cut electricity bills and carbon gas emissions.
Kenya introduced the new building guidelines in 2024 with the aim of enhancing safety, sustainability, and resilience in the construction industry.
For instance, while the current building code may restrict developers to specified materials in building the walls, the new one addresses whether the wall has the right strength and fire resistance quality.
The updated regulations to be implemented by NCA will focus on promoting green building practices such as water usage and energy consumption.
Kenya's building sector is primarily regulated by the Building Code, Physical Planning Laws, and other related statues, with the code in place currently dating back to 1968.
NCA executive director Maurice Akech said that the new code has on boarded emerging construction technologies and green concepts.
“It will become effective come March 1, 2025 when we will begin assessing compliance as we implement it fully. Right now we still embrace the old code as we usher in the new code,” said Akech.
The National Building Code, 2024 was launched on July 17, 2024 after being published as Legal Notice on March 1, 2024.
It introduces provisions for sustainable development, though some are optional.
Akech who represented lands cabinet secretary Alice Wahome at the Annual Conference of the Kenya Green Building Society said developers are now required to use environmentally friendly materials and incorporate energy-saving technologies, like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce the environmental impact of construction.
“Sustainability is not just about regulations; it is about the choices we make in our daily lives. From using energy-saving bulbs to adopting alternative fuels, every small action contributes to the larger goal of reducing our carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy,” added
Akech said NCA has engaged project managers, interior designers and landscape architects who had earlier rejected the new building code for what they termed as discrimination of their roles in the new legislation.
“There were some professionals in the build environment that felt that they were not specifically mentioned in regard to Section 6. The code had mentioned some players but it is not limited to those only,” said Akech.
The contentious clause in the code says the preparation of the design and supervision of works will only be undertaken by a professional in the respective fields of specialisation.
A professional under sub-paragraph one includes a physical planner, architect, engineer, land surveyor or building surveyor, quantity surveyor, accredited site supervisor, and accredited skilled worker, duly registered under the relevant law.
This had failed to mention the new disciplines despite the government accrediting the courses.
“I am confirming that the state department of public works has already engaged these professionals that had [raised] these concerns and they have been assured that these are issues that will be accommodated...and once the definition of their roles have been properly anchored in the law then we will amend the codes to accommodate,” added the executive director.
Kenya Green Building Society CEO Nasra Nanda said that financial institutions would have to provide exclusive offerings for green infrastructure.
East Africa IFC regional Director Mary Pescha said that construction value chains account for about 40 per cent of industrial related carbon dioxide emissions globally.
The event, themed “Creating a Sustainable and Inclusive Tomorrow: Innovating the Greenprint for Our Urban Future,” brings together over 200 stakeholders from the built environment sector.
Participants will include policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, government officials from Kenya and Belgium, and representatives from various organizations such as IFC, COP28 hosts, Expocity Dubai, and Habitat for Humanity.
The conference aims to promote sustainable and resilient built environments in Kenya, with an eye on expanding these practices across Africa.
The two-day event will feature panel discussions, presentations, and workshops focused on urban development, sustainability, and related financial and policy challenges.